Todd Richards said after Jose Theodore's 40-save effort to beat the New York Rangers on Thursday night that the Wild coaching staff will "sit down and talk" before deciding whether Theodore or Niklas Backstrom would start Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres.

But it would be surprising if Richards doesn't run with the hot goalie.

Theodore is 2-1 in his past three starts, allowing five goals for a 1.63 goals-against average and .960 save percentage

Since a 6-3-1 run with a .1.31 GAA and .953 save percentage, Backstrom has lost three in a row, allowing 11 goals. A couple of the goals lately have been poorly timed, cheesy ones.

"We're 20 guys fighting for a playoff spot," Theodore said. "We're a good bunch of guys. Even though Backy plays most of the games, I feel like I've got a big role on this team and every time I have a chance to play, I need to be on top of my game."

Theodore's biggest adjustment this year has been learning how to go from a goalie used to the routine of starting most games to starting occasionally.

"You have to do a little more in practice," he said. "When you play a lot, you get in a groove. It's almost like you walk through your routine without thinking. When you don't play too much, you have to make sure you're sharp in practice.